The Perfect Appliance

[steiconi]

I've been having a lot of trouble with both early and late returns. probiotics aren't solving the problem, and neither are multiple infusions.
As a result, I've been wearing a standard appliance instead of stoma caps. They're not light and comfy like stoma caps. whine.

Do any of you use standard stuff? Do you have a favorite?

I think my ideal would be a 1-piece drainable, nice to my skin, thin and flexible, with a tail opening big enough to irrigate through. I tried Murph's system, couldn't make it work. My Convatec cone might be too wide.
Second choice would be a 1-piece drainable that is designed for 1-day use, so my skin doesn't suffer.
Third choice is a 2-piece.

Any suggestions?

[ot dave]

I've been irrigating since 2010. I have always continued to wear a normal set up. My colon is just too unpredictable, and I will have unexpected outputs at times. Most of the time it is empty, but on occasion, especially after greasy pizza, that my bowels will move away from irrigation.
For me, the best set up is a 2 piece system. I use the Hollister New Image line. The 2 piece is "tupperware" in nature, and I've never had a problem with it coming apart or leaking at the ring...unless I made an error. The equipment has been fine. This system allows me to wear a drainable pouch during the day, change into a closed mini pouch at night to sleep in, and do other "adult activities", and then change to the irrigation sleeve in the morning to do the irrigations. It's easy on the skin as I routinely get a week out of the flange as it doesn't get a lot of abuse from output because of the daily irrigating.
Hope you find a system that works for your needs. There's not much better in ostomyland than a good working appliance system!

David

[steiconi]

I used the Hollister New Image for a while, and still have a few on hand--that's the one with the "floating" ring on the wafer, so you can put your fingers under it to seal? They are reliable, but they stick really far out, and are hard to hide under clothing. Also, since they're rigid, they don't conform to my lush, rolling contours and don't last as long as the Convatec moldable wafers.

[Lisa]

When I need the security of a standard pouch I have been using the new coloplast mio convex. It's a one piece drainable. I'm not sure but I don't think the irrigation cone would fit. I can try and get back to you. I prefer this over the convatec two piece I used prior because it is less bulky and I generally don't need to leave it on for longer than a day. As Dave said the two piece is nice because you can easily switch between caps and pouches. I have become spoiled though and prefer to change everyday.

[steiconi]

I called Hollister, Convatec, and Coloplast yesterday and asked their nurses what they recommend.
They said that changing a 1-piece every day might be hard on my skin. None said they had a 1-piece that would be usable with irrigation.
They're all sending samples of one- and two-piece appliances with the smallest drainable bags they have.

[Lisa]

HI Steiconi
Sorry for taking so long. I tried to see if convatec cone would fit in mio opening. Full disclosure I was not wearing it at the time but I do think it could work. The cone fits in up to the base and then you would have to work the bag up around the cone. It would take a little manuvering for sure but it would probably work.

[steiconi]

Thanks, Lisa!
I have some samples coming from Coloplast, but I'm not sure if they're Mio or not.

my gut seems to have settled down lately, and I'm doing fine with stoma caps again. go figure.

[Lisa]

Glad to hear things have settled down for you. Stoma caps are definitely my preference but it's good to have a back up plan. Good to know what the options are. Thanks for bringing the topic up.

[Jimbob]

New Image Two Piece with a mini pouch. I change the flange maybe once every four days to a week. 11 1/2 years with good results.

Sleeves are compatible with the flange.

[steiconi]

Thanks, Murph--I just irrigated through a 1-piece!

Turns out, the trick is to get one with a clip--not velcro or other closure--so the tail is easy to scrunch along the irrigation cone.

I used a Convatec 1-piece and cone. I got all tricky with a sleeve, too, but it might work as well (or better) just over the toilet.

When life gives you challenges, turn them into a hobby!

[Lisa]

Lol, good for you! It does feel good to figure things out!

[Murph00]

Well here I am late for the party again. Congrats Lee!! Nothing like mastering a new hobby. I hope you can tweak it and find your comfort zone without too much bother.

I found out about this method from a Coloplast rep who just happened to call one day following up on an order I had placed for free samples. I mentioned my reluctance to irrigate because I wanted to stick to the one piece system and she walked me through it over the phone. A week later I had my kit and away I went.

I use the one piece Coloplast Sensura with the Velcro closure along with the Coloplast irrigation kit. I tried the Convatec kit but the cone really is like a traffic pylon. As Lisa mentioned and you found out the cone doesn't fit through the opening, but once you work the tail piece back towards the stoma, you can insert it through the tail and into the stoma enough to get a good seal and irrigate.

I infuse while kneeling with the pouch inside the bowl and once done I turn around, sit, let the pouch hang inside the bowl and play the waiting game. A few rinses when I'm done and that's it. It's really quite simple. Not much different from draining your pouch the regular way. I still get 5-6 days per pouch and it gets washed in the shower daily.

I guess the downside is I can't change to a stoma cap. I suppose if one had unlimited funds and supplies, and didn't mind changing often you could go that route.
FYI I did try irrigating through the new Mio. It did work but I didn't like the multiple layers covering the pouch. It just felt too thick for my liking.

Anyway, I'm really glad to hear that you have found a solution to your problem. I would recommend trying the Coloplast irrigation kit. It will make a big difference.

Keep us posted Lee. I'll be curious to know how you're making out.

Best,
Murph